Gloucestershire County Council has announced a significant investment of £20 million to enhance the availability of special education needs and disabilities (Send) school places in the region. The funding will support the construction of a new 200-pupil school in Alstone Croft, Cheltenham, designed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. This initiative is part of the council's broader plan to increase the number of special school places in Gloucestershire to 540 since 2022. The new facility is expected to open its doors in 2028.
The council will collaborate closely with Cheltenham Borough Council and the Parent Carer Forum to ensure that the plans for the school meet community needs and expectations. This engagement aims to gather valuable feedback and insights from local stakeholders to better serve the pupils and their families.
Aiming to reduce carbon emissions across the county to net-zero by 2030, the county council has emphasized the importance of sustainable construction practices in this project. The new school will cater to both primary and secondary pupils, addressing a growing demand for Send school places within Gloucestershire.
"We are committed to making sure children and young people in our county get the specialist education they need at a school closer to where they live." – Stephen Davies
This commitment comes at a crucial time, as many children currently travel outside the county or attend independent schools to receive appropriate educational support. The Local Democracy Reporting Service has highlighted the shortage of Send school places as a pressing issue, prompting local authorities to take decisive action.
In addition to the Alstone Croft project, two new Send schools, Brook Academy in Brockworth and Sladewood in Stroud, have already opened, providing much-needed educational facilities within the region. Furthermore, plans are underway for another Send school in Gloucester, located at Wheatridge East.
The council has already invested approximately £50 million into expanding special school places, with an additional £2.7 million allocated to creating extra places at existing special schools across Gloucestershire. These efforts underscore the council's dedication to providing accessible educational opportunities for all children within the county.
